Why The Lowest Price is the Worst Price In A Home Remodel – Austin,TX

This article will tell you why the lowest price is usually the worst price in a home remodel. Let’s talk specifically be covering the installation side of a home remodel project. Anyone who has gone through a remodel already may have already come to this conclusion, as have I, through some painful personal experiences in my life.

The Quality Triangle of a Home Remodel

They say that you can have 2 of any 3 things in a home remodel.

  • Cheap
  • Fast
  • Good

But only 2. Never all 3. If you want a job done fast and at a high level of workmanship, it’s not going to be the cheapest. If you’re on a budget but need quality, it defiantly won’t be a fast process. If you need it cheap and fast, it defiantly won’t be of high quality.

Now, you have to decide what two you want or can have. Unless you want to spend the better part of a year dealing with a contractor, I would assume that you want the job done decently fast. I can assume that we all want a good quality home to remodel. While our remodel doesn’t have to be astronomical in terms of cost, that means that your remodel won’t be the cheapest out there. Knowing the triangle up front helps a lot of homeowners avoid the mistake of taking the lowest bid, without regard to the consequences.

When you take the lowest bid on a home remodel

I will admit, I have fallen victim to this. I was working on a large remodeling project. I got quotes from at least 5 people. I found someone to install my windows, work on my interior framing and my roof, who was offering to do it at a much lower price than everyone else. He claimed this was because he wanted to build a relationship. That we could work together on future projects. That we would refer him to friends and family. It sounded legit. I was thrilled to get my project going and was I really going to be UNDER budget?

As work began, it seemed ok. And then things started happening. The project wouldn’t be complete 100%, but payment was being requested to get the rest of our materials. Issues were spotted and were promised to be fixed. He would be there tomorrow. Tomorrow came, but he did not. Phone calls were made but never answered. I kept being strung along, telling me that the rest of the work was going to be done and going to be done right away.

But this was not the case. I ended up cutting my losses and moving on with other options. While this may not be the scenario that you encounter with every cheap contractor that you meet, it was definitely mine, as well as that of many others that we’ve spoken to in our business.

The Real Cost of The Lowest Price

Low-cost trades have to take on more jobs to make the same money that a higher cost installer would. This means typically that they are overbooked and everyone ends up on the receiving end of poor communication and customer service. What can happen when you work with low-cost trades is that they are very short term oriented. If you have paid $1,000 for your project, and they are supposed to be there tomorrow. Then, they find another job that will pay $1,500 and they also want it done tomorrow? Guess who gets the shaft?

When you are doing an extensive home remodel project, you have to coordinate multiple trades. You could be dealing with window installers, framers, drywallers, plumbers, electricians, cabinet installers, flooring installers, tile installers, and the list goes on. In most cases, one job can’t be started until another is finished, and sometimes inspected. If you have scheduled your trades in advance, and someone cancels on you, you then have to reschedule your other trades. Depending on their other commitments, you may not be able to get back in their schedule for weeks. What are the weeks in construction worth to you?

It is estimated that rework, lost time, and rescheduling conflicts can cost up to 50% of your entire renovation project.

Lower cost trades have a much higher probability for rework, unkept commitments, and cutting corners. Again, we are not saying this of all contractors that charge a lower than average price, but if you do encounter this, we would highly recommend getting referrals from the past year and calling them to get their experience.

I hope this article has enlightened your plans and decisions in doing a home remodel. If you need help, contact Jagor Construction, the company that helps prepare your budget, timelines, choosing materials and brands, guides you on each step, helps choose design style and layout.

What is a Design-Build Firm And What Are The Benefits? – Austin,TX

Austin TX General Contractors Construction - Jagor Construction

If you live in or around Austin, TX, Liberty Hill, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Leander and or Georgetown, TX you have may have heard of Jagor Construction. So what does“ Design-Build Firm” in relation to remodeling and wondered what is it exactly and how is it differs from a general contractor.

Essentially, a design-build firm focuses on streamlining the building and design process by combining all the necessary specialist you need, all under one roof.

Design-Build firms take on the responsibilities of the architect, designer, contractor, and construction company. The designer and contractor work together from beginning to end, as a team, providing unified project recommendations to fit your budget and schedule.

The entire process is simplified and there is less room for miscommunication or mistakes to be made when you are working with a team focused on a shared project, goals & deadlines!

Changes are addressed by an entire team of professionals, which leads to collaborative problem-solving. No blame-shifting or excuses! Every project is approached with a team mentality and each team member understands the importance of completing their part of the project.

In addition to the ease of working with a team to complete your project, there are even more benefits to choosing a design-build firm:

  • Staying on budget from start to finish.
  • A single point of contact for the homeowner.
  • Projects are completed on time. (or possibly ahead of schedule)
  • Average savings of estimated 6%-10% (versus using a GC or contracting out yourself)

At Complete Home Improvement we are a design-build firm specializing in complete home renovations, from luxury condos to single-family homes. We will go over your space together and create a complete game plan for your project. Every detail is managed by our professional team, from start to finish and you get the exact result you were hoping for, and so much more!

The 4 Most Important Spaces To Remodel In Your Home – Austin, TX

How do you determine the most important spaces to remodel in your home that will maximize the return on your investment?

Maybe you’re thinking of remodeling your kitchen. Perhaps renovate your bathroom or the master’s bedroom. Or maybe you’re planning to put your house on the market in the spring. You want to spruce up your place but need to be wise with your cash.

Well, most home improvement projects will add some value to your home. Remodels sometimes have a tendency to develop their own inertia, as decisions lead to new dilemmas, unintended consequences, and surprising outcomes. In some cases, these flights of fancy are perfectly acceptable, provided the design and completed execution truly align with the vision and budget.

 

But if your budget is a concern and the wise investment of limited home improvement dollars matters, then there are a few basic guidelines you should familiarize yourself with before planning to remodel. Today we review four important spaces to remodel in your home.

Kitchens

Updating a tired old kitchen is one of the wisest methods. It is a tried-and-true one of increasing the value of your home. When planning a kitchen remodel, and making design decisions and selections for plumbing fixtures, appliances, cabinets, and countertop materials, you should determine whether you are prioritizing your own design aesthetic or the return on your investment.

Either priority is perfectly acceptable, but you should understand which is your priority, or strike a balance between the two that you can feel good about.

For example, using the existing kitchen layout and affordable cosmetic materials is a sure way to keep the cost of your kitchen remodel manageable. When you start tearing out walls, bumping out the exterior home footprint to gain a few feet, and moving plumbing fixtures and appliances, the cost of the remodel will jump and your dollars will be less efficiently spent.

Adding living space

A straightforward addition of a new living room space is typically a very good investment. Newly added square footage generally increases your home’s value. There are certain costs that will be associated with your addition regardless of the size. New square footage will require the demolition of existing exterior walls, a new foundation, a new roof, new exterior siding and probably new windows.

If you are going to incur these expenses, it’s important to get value for money. It’s important that the added room is sized so that space can be efficiently produced.

Master’s Bedroom

Updating a master bedroom or remodeling and adding a new master suite is money well spent. A beautiful master’s suite will provide an impression to anyone as living in their private space and it’s of quantitative value when they like what they see.

 

The master bedroom suite layout can be rejiggered to provide for a more spacious bath area, with a bigger shower and updated layout. Big showers are really “in” and many people forgo a tub in the master bedroom. The real estate folks say that as long as you have one tub somewhere in the house, that the no-shower master bath is a great way to go.

bathroom remodeling contractor Miami

Bathrooms

Personally, my favorite room in the house is the bathroom. Although all the bathrooms are important, a priority should be placed on the powder room and master bath, followed by a guest bathroom and any other secondary baths.

The same rules apply to a bathroom remodel as to the kitchen. Cosmetic changes are safer from an investment standpoint than modifications involving changed layouts or minor additions, which can result in inefficient expenses.

When it comes to finding room in your house for an extra bathroom, take a look at any extra rooms or underutilized spaces. Consider other spaces, such as closets or areas under the stairs, too. If you want a half-bath you need at least 18 square feet. If you want a full bath, including a stand-up shower, you need at least 30 square feet. If you want a bathtub, make sure you have at least 35 square feet to work with for a bathroom addition.

Moreover, the basic updates add the most value to your home.

  • Keep the paint fresh
  • Fix the roof when it leaks
  • Replace wood that rots,
  • Get rid of any mold that you find

These types of chores keep your home from deteriorating over time. We all want a healthy, solid, safe home, and looking carefully for signs of routine maintenance is a great habit to make your home a well-cared one.

When it comes to remodeling your home, the decision is yours to make.

Regardless of which projects you choose to do, it is important to make your budget and design decisions in an informed manner with a full understanding of the investment value of the money spent. This will ensure that you are happy with both the finished project and the longer-term implications of your choices.

The best way to gauge what you can expect in terms of value on home improvements is to talk to the experts. Schedule your free remodeling consultation with Complete Home Improvement.

Why Outdoor Living Spaces Create Stronger Families – Austin, TX

Here are 3 reasons why you should consider adding an outdoor living space to your home

The usable space of your backyard can be turned into a great outdoor living space. Whether you have a small or large yard, an outdoor living space enables you to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors in rain or shine.

Whether it’s an outdoor entertaining area, a resort-style cabana with terrace around the pool, or a pergola set-up, creating an outdoor living space adds extra value to your home and is an effective way to draw people outside.

1. Perfect for outdoor entertainment

Outdoor living spaces aren’t just great for getting guests to your event, they also help keep the party going all night long!

You don’t have to worry about everyone crowding in the living room when there’s an array of comfortable outdoor furniture waiting in the summer air.

Birthdays, holidays, and family get-togethers can be enjoyed in your own unique space that will ‘wow’ everyone. Think about creating a paved pathway from your backdoor to a covered pergola area equipped with barbecue, lounge chairs, and fire pit for the ultimate hosting space.

Create a fully equipped kitchen area outdoors so that you & your guests don’t have to worry about cleaning up inside or balancing food and drinks from the kitchen to your outdoor oasis.

For evenings, think about lining your paved pathway with tiki torches or lanterns. Install down lights in your covered outdoor space for a functional entertaining area. This is great if you want to separate guests from the main house or if you have small children—the kids can sleep peacefully in the main house while the adults continue the party outside.

2. It is an extension of your home

Outdoor living spaces can be looked at as being an extension of your home rather than a separate space. If you feel like your house is too small and you need an extra room, then it is time to invest in an outdoor living space. Utilize what you already have in your backyard and then buy key furniture pieces to make it a space that you love to spend time in.

Having a covered space equipped with all the modern conveniences of an indoor living room can create a haven to retreat to and relax in all the while enjoying the outdoors.

Not only does it add a certain luxury to everyday life, but it also adds value to your home when it comes to potentially re-selling down the road. Homeowners can envision walking outside to relax and read the morning paper as the morning sun hits the garden before heading off to work.

3. Reduce Stress

One way an outdoor living space can improve your home is by lowering your stress levels.

Outdoor living spaces create the perfect opportunity to decompress after a long, tiring day. Spending more time outdoors can also help boost your immune system. Furthermore, people who are able to spend time in nature are often healthier and happier. If they do get sick, they often recover faster.

Your outdoor living provides a space for you to get away from work and the pressures of life and take in your surroundings. Outdoor spaces are therapeutic as you focus in on your senses and enjoy the moment.

Throughout history gardens and the outdoors have been used to relieve stress and heal. Sitting outdoors provides the perfect environment to contemplate decisions and reflect on your life. Allow your outdoor space to be a getaway when you need a moment to breathe.

Start Designing Your Perfect Outdoor Living Space

As you can see, there is a multitude of benefits that come with adding outdoor living space to your home. You’ve been dreaming of expanding your living space into the outdoors for a while. Now is the time to turn that dream into a reality.

Start doing some research to get ideas and inspiration.

Already have something in mind? Contact Complete Home Improvement and they will give you the help on the design of your outdoor living space.